14 Books To Read Before They Become Movies In 2014

During the holiday break, I finally get to catch up on two of my favorite things: reading and seeing movies. I particularly enjoy when I can combine these two loves and see a movie based on a book I read, and do a little compare and contrast analysis.

That’s why to kick off 2014, I’ve done a little research into some books that are being turned into movies this coming year according to IMDb. The list here ranges from YA favorites to classic children’s books to some other novels, but as of now, they are all scheduled to hit the big screen in 2014. Some release dates are finalized and others unannounced, but it looks that if all goes according to plan, there is going to be a lot of book-inspired blockbusters in the next twelve months.

Here’s 14 books to read before the movie versions hit the big screen:

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Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Been looking for a new vampire series to sink your teeth into? (I know, obvious pun - let's move on). It's a six book series and a movie based on the first novel will be making its big screen debut on February 14. Only a couple weeks to get it finished so you're ready for opening night!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

This exciting dystopian book about a society that is divided into factions follows the journey of Tris, who enters the Dauntless faction but is also hiding a secret about her identity. Shailene Woodley plays Tris in the movie version that will be released on March 21.

Dorothy Of Oz by Roger S. Baum

The story of Dorothy's time in Oz is detailed in a number of different books, but this story is the one that an upcoming animated movie (with Lea Michele voicing Dorothy) is based on. Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return is set to hit theaters on May 9.

Grimm's Fairy Tales by Brothers Grimm

These fairy tales are kind of a 2-for-1 in terms of 2014 movie fare. First up, the "Little Briar Rose" story is one of the inspirations for the Angelina Jolie movie Maleficent that'll be in theaters on May 30. Later in the year, the musical Into The Woods (starring Anna Kendrick) is set to be released on December 25 and the plot draws on a number of these fairly tales.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

This at times darkly comic, but still completely heart-wrenching story about two teenagers falling in love while also battling cancer is a must-read. The movie version - starring Shailene Woodley as Hazel and Ansel Elgort as Augustus - is set to be released on June 6.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I recently reread this book, and I think it was way ahead of its time with its dystopian plot. It's about a boy named Jonas who is selected to become the community's "Receiver of Memory" - a mysterious job he will learn from The Giver. The film version is scheduled for August 15 and Taylor Swift can be seen among the cast.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Confession time: I have this sitting in my room, but haven't had a chance to read it yet. But I've heard many good things, so it's on my list! The dystopian story is about Thomas, who along with other teenagers, lives within the confines of a complicated maze. The movie version is set to be released on September 19 and stars Dylan O'Brien from Teen Wolf as Thomas.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

I think we can all relate to having days where nothing seems to go right, so it's worth revisiting this popular kids book. It is set to be a film with Bella Thorne, Steve Carrell and Jennifer Garner, that will be released on October 10. It definitely sounds like it could be a fun one to read and watch together with younger siblings or the kids you babysit.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen is back in the third and final book of The Hunger Games trilogy. The film Mockingjay: Part 1 will hit theaters on November 21 (so while I guess you only need to read half of this book by then, do yourself a favor and finish the whole thing).

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Yes, there is another Hobbit movie slated to come out next year, so if you haven't read this classic book, maybe 2014 should be the year! The Hobbit: There and Back Again is scheduled to be released on December 17 so you have some time (but you may want that extra time to dive into more Middle Earth adventures).

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

This book is narrated by Mia, a teenager who is in a coma after a devastating car accident as she exists in a limbo state between life and death. I've heard really good things about this novel, so this is on the top of my must read list before the movie version - starring Chloe Grace Moretz as Mia - comes out next year (no official release date yet).

Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern

I read this novel a while ago, but now that I know it's being made into a movie, I'll need to revisit it. It's by the same author as P.S. I Love You and is about two friends in Ireland who just can't seem to get their romantic timing quite right over many years. The movie doesn't have a release date yet, but it stars Lily Collins and Sam Claflin as Rosie and her friend Alex.

Naomi & Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

This is another book from the duo that wrote Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist (a book turned movie itself!). It's a story about the emotional disintegration of two longtime best friends and how it affects the people around them (with different chapters told from the point of view of different characters). There's no information as to a specific release date in 2014, but Victoria Justice has been cast as Naomi.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

This is a classic story (originally written in French) about a pilot who is stranded in the dessert and comes across a mysterious boy from another planet. It's a quick read to finish before seeing the animated film version in 2014 (no set release date quite yet) that features the voice talents of James Franco and Rachel McAdams.

Have you read any of these books? Are there some on this list that you are planning to read? Did you know that all of these upcoming movies were based on books? Which of these movies do you plan to see? Tell us in the comments.